Northeast Desk, 4th Jan: The Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) on Wednesday made a significant move by announcing its candidate for the Arunachal West Lok Sabha constituency, highlighting a perceived divergence within the opposition alliance.
Ruhi Tagung, the state unit president, was confirmed as the chosen candidate for the Arunachal West constituency, as declared by JD(U)’s General Secretary, Afaque Ahmad. Notably, this announcement aligns with the directive of party president Nitish Kumar, emphasizing the party’s cohesion.
The context of this decision arises from the dynamics within the opposition alliance, particularly the JD(U)’s divergence with other members. The Congress, a principal member of the INDIA bloc, secured the second position in the Arunachal West seat during the 2019 polls, while the BJP emerged victorious in both assembly and Lok Sabha seats from the state.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s recent election as the JD(U)’s national president has added complexity to the party’s role within the alliance. Speculations about discontent within the party, driven by Kumar’s exclusion from a prominent role within the INDIA bloc, have been fueled by recent developments.
Despite Kumar’s critical stance on the BJP-led central government, as expressed during the national council meeting, the JD(U) continues to advocate for a significant role for Kumar within the INDIA bloc. Kumar’s reputation for alliance-building across ideological lines has sparked intrigue about potential future moves within the political landscape.
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